Well, here we are at the last block! I hope you have enjoyed this fun trip into traditional blocks with a twist. If you are just joining us, you can still go back and download all the block instructions and enjoy making them. Here’s a link to last week’s blog post for block 8. From there you can follow the links back find all the other blocks. Or, you can simply go to my web site’s blog page and find all the posts there in order.
One side note: I had hand surgery a few weeks ago and am recovering nicely. However, I will not be able to actually assemble the finished Block of the Week quilt top because I can’t cut any fabric right now. I will, however, provide you with written instructions for a few variations. Hopefully when my hand is able to once again hold a rotary cutter, I will make my quilt top from these blocks and show it to you. Next week’s blog post will be the finishing instructions and the winner of the fat quarter pack!
So, now that that news is out of the way, let’s get on with Block 9!
Block of the Week
Block 9:
This is a fun block that kind of reminds me of a peppermint candy. This block is called Walking Star and you can find the instructions for it here: 2024 BOW Block 9.
Some Block History
It was difficult to find some concrete history on this block. The closest I could find to this block is one called A Unique Design from the Ladies Home Journal 1896. It looks something like this one on the left:
As you can see, this block in on a 4 x 4 grid system just like the Walking Star block on the right. Simply move around the pieces and change a few colors and you have the alternative block. That’s the fun of these traditional blocks. You can move around the pieces on whatever grid they are designed on, whether it’s 2 x 2, 3 x 3, 4 x 4, etc., and get a new block!
A little more on the star block history. I shared some in an earlier post about their importance to Native Americans and early western settlers. So here’s a little more.
Quilts made with star blocks are often used for ceremonial reasons like births, birthdays, and other important milestones in a person’s life. Early American settlers painted large star designs on their barns for aesthetic reasons as well as for navigation. Yes, for real! A traveler would know where they were based on the star on a particular barn. Early GPS one could say.
Tip of the Week
Playing around with layout of block pieces is a lot of fun. I did that with this block to show you how you can make it different by just rotating units within. Here’s my first example. I also changed the white to black in the block on the right. Interesting!
Next, I flipped all the outside units to make a ring around the pinwheel design in the center. Now this block really does look like a peppermint!
Finally, I once again flipped around the outside units and make this cool sawtooth border for the pinwheel center.
Fun, right? I’ve now let you in on a little quilt pattern designer secret. Sometimes, I like to play with these traditional blocks like this to make something completely unique. A lot of times I am doing it to create some secondary design in the quilt I am planning to make.
OK, so that’s it for this week. Remember to comment or ask a question below to be entered into the drawing for the fat quarter pack below.
The drawing will be next Monday, November 11th, when I will share the quilt top designs for this BOW sew along.
Happy Quilting!
Deanne
Thanks for the quilt block and your clear and comprehensive instructions! Praying your hand heals well without complications, I can feel your pain as I have had hand surgery also…
Iām always interested in blocks using HSTs because I end up with so many after making flying geese and snowball blocks, etc. Thanks for this post!
I love this block…very unusual…I’m pretty good at recognizing quilt blocks but this one was new to me. Thanks so much!
Thanks for the block of the week series and the many tips. Really enjoyed both. Hope your hand heals quickly.
Looking forward to layout design of blocks
Thanks for the alternate designs
Love HST blocks.. so versatile! Thank you for all of your suggestions. Most importantly, though.. wishing you speedy healing!
So many options! Take care of your hand!
Thank you for the pattern, history, and tips for each of the blocks. I’ll be anxious to start the project once the new year rolls around. Take care and heal quickly!
OMG! It’s amazing what you came up with! I’ve seen several I’d like to try. Thanks so much!
I am loving this Block of the week and enjoying all your tips-
Hope you have a quick recovery from your surgery
Looking forward to future projects
This is a fun block with so many variations.
Thank you so much for the lovely blocks and history. I wish for your speedy recovery from surgery. Take care of yourself!
Love the history information. Hope you recoup quickly. Hard not to be able to sew & quilt.
One of my favorite things about quilting is how pieces of a block can be rearranged to create a completely different look. Thanks for this interesting series.
Love this design and the colors you used! I’m a relatively new quilter and have just tried a similar design. My problem is all those points – 8 of them! – coming together in the center, which make for a big knot of seams on the reverse. Is there some way to press this so there’s not such a big clump? Many thanks!
Hi! I am a bit unconventional and press all my seams open for my HSTs. by doing that I have found there is less bulk when stitching them together into a block. I double-stitch over seams when joining them so that reinforces the seam that is pressed open.
It works for me! Give it a try. š
Just found this article and your channel! Your information on the history of this star was so interesting and the significance of stars as to the Native American. I love the star in all the variations.
Thank you very much for this sew along . So much information š